Your Hustler

2025-26

Wrapped

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Your Reading Trends

The United States and China had the greatest number of Hustler readers this year.

Your Reading Trends

Most readers this year were located in Tennessee, followed by Texas, California and New York.

Your Reading Trends

The Hustler saw large spikes in viewers at the end of October as it published content related to College GameDay on campus and updates on the Trump administration's higher education compact.

Your Top 5 Stories

(Based on number of views)
1. Students express disappointment over Vanderbilt’s handling of College GameDay pit entry
2. BREAKING: Vanderbilt Football to host kicking clinic for students ahead of College GameDay
3. BREAKING: Chancellor Daniel Diermeier fails to reject higher education compact, reaffirms Vanderbilt’s values and openness to discussion
4. Vanderbilt announces 40-acre campus expansion in Midtown Nashville
5. International students receive emails from ISSS with guidance for maintaining immigration status, students report frustration

Your Top 3 News Stories

1. Students express disappointment over Vanderbilt’s handling of College GameDay pit entry
2. BREAKING: Vanderbilt Football to host kicking clinic for students ahead of College GameDay
3. BREAKING: Chancellor Daniel Diermeier fails to reject higher education compact, reaffirms Vanderbilt’s values and openness to discussion

Your Top 3 Life Stories

1. Top 10 love songs of all time
2. 2026 Grammy Awards: The Hustler staff’s predictions
3. Mary J. Blige rocks Bridgestone Arena for her ‘For My Fans Tour’ with NE-YO

Your Top 3 Sports Stories

1. BREAKING: Head coach Clark Lea officially signs contract extension
2. BREAKING: Vanderbilt Football selected for ReliaQuest Bowl, set to play Iowa
3. HERNANDEZ: Vanderbilt is being overlooked by the College Football Playoff committee

Your Top 3 Opinion Stories

1. LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: Vanderbilt, stop playing both sides
2. BRODEUR: I feel disillusioned by Taylor Swift — but it isn’t her fault
3. RAJAN: The war on education: How anti-intellectualism in America is eroding innovation

Your Top 3 Multimedia Stories

1. IN PHOTOS: Snowpocalypse
2. Brain Rot Wrapped: How brain-rotted are Vanderbilt students in 2025?
3. PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: We are so back


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Vanderbilt’s expanding presence

Vanderbilt moved forward with plans for new campuses across the country, and some of you will be the first to experience them this fall. Last fall, you provided feedback to the university on potential study away academic programming at the New York City campus. Plans for this campus continued to solidify as Kevin Stack was appointed as inaugural senior associate provost of the campus. After the campus was officially approved, the study abroad office hosted an information session for students.

Vanderbilt also announced a new full-time academic campus in San Francisco, which is scheduled to open in 2027, and moved forward with plans for a graduate campus in West Palm Beach, Florida. The California location will serve about 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and the Florida location will serve an additional 1,000 graduate students. One of Vanderbilt’s expansions lies a little closer to home, as the university plans to establish a presence in Chattanooga, Tennessee, through the Institute for Quantum Innovation.

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Excavator at the back of McTyeire Hall, as photographed on Aug. 20, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu)

You lived through a lot of construction on campus this year, and even though some projects like Garland Hall reached completion, there is more construction to come in the future. With the demolition of Branscomb, which was temporarily halted after asbestos was found, work continues on three new residential colleges in the central neighborhood of campus. An additional residential college is being built on Commons for future first-years to enjoy.

In addition to adding campuses around the country and construction on campus, Vanderbilt has made plans to engage the Nashville innovation community by developing a 40-acre innovation district on the west side of campus. The university filed a specific plan application with the Nashville Planning Department last December, and the plan’s zoning request was approved in April.

Responding to politics and the federal government

You made your voices heard this year about your thoughts on the actions of the federal government, particularly its actions with a direct influence on higher education. In the wake of a new presidential administration last spring and summer, the university responded to executive orders and the changing political climate in a variety of ways. Guidance was provided to international students about immigration status, funding cuts led to a $9.6 million loss in federal funding by the LGBTQ Policy Lab and the end of the Trans Buddy Program at VUMC and Vanderbilt hired a firm to investigate possible noncompliance with an executive order related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The university’s Title IX policy remained unchanged despite changing federal regulations. Though Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents’ presence increased around the country and on other college campuses, no ICE agents were ever reported on Vanderbilt’s campus, despite rumors of their presence.

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Two students place objects at Charlie Kirk’s vigil, as photographed on Sept. 17, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu)

As the fall semester rolled around, you shared your thoughts with The Hustler on the loan adjustments and limits in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Supreme Court’s decision to lift restrictions on immigration stops in Los Angeles, the temporary freeze of Supplemental Nutrition Assitance Program benefits and the shutdown of the federal government and its conclusion. When conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, you expressed your concerns about freedom of speech on college campuses and held a vigil in Kirk’s honor. You found community with people with similar political views by establishing new chapters of Turning Point USA and Young Democratic Socialists of America.

In October, the Trump administration asked Vanderbilt and eight other universities to provide feedback on the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which offered preferential access to federal funding in exchange for abiding by a set of principles outlined by the compact. You expressed mixed reactions to the compact, and many students and faculty urged the university not to sign the agreement by circulating petitions and surveys, organizing rallies and teach-ins and issuing statements. While many institutions issued formal rejections of the compact, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier chose to provide feedback to the federal government and affirmed the university’s openness to discussion. Some of your peers reacted by organizing as part of groups like Indivisible Vandy.

Others joined members of the larger Nashville community in protesting the Trump administration as a whole in two “No Kings” protests, one in October and one in March. You also engaged in local politics through midterm elections for Tennessee’s 7th District, which saw Republican Matt Van Epps defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn.

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First-year Vanderbilt students hold various signs at the No Kings rally, as photographed March 28, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu)

The university continued to respond to the actions of the federal government and budget cuts throughout the fall and into the spring. In December, the university cancelled MOSAIC, an overnight program for admitted students, amid concerns about diversity-focused programs. In the wake of this decision, the Multicultural Leadership Council and other student organizations called on the university to uphold its commitment to inclusion. In February, VUMC cancelled all scheduled gender-affirming surgeries due to a lack of resources and surgical coverage for the operations.

You were also affected by events around the globe, such as the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife as well as the war between the United States and Iran.

Student life at Vanderbilt

To the dismay of many of your peers, the famous Rand Cookie was discontinued after the facility that made its dough shut down. Some of you liked its replacement better than the original, while others couldn’t move on from the classic Campus Dining staple.

Another change that elicited mixed reviews from students was the transition from Google to Microsoft for email services and the discontinuation of alumni emails.

Vanderbilt Student Government proposed a new constitution to consolidate its current structure, and you went to the polls to vote on it. You also chose sophomores Simran Fitzpatrick and Will Dean as the next VSG president and vice president, respectively, after a run-off election between the top two tickets.

You lived through multiple safety concerns on campus this past year, including students being threatened with a knife, break-ins in Chaffin apartments, an appliance fire in North House, a power outage in Buttrick Hall and a flood in West House. The 2025 Security and Fire Safety Report showed an increase in reports of stalking and theft, and Vanderbilt University Public Safety released new resources to help students stay safe on campus.

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A green Servpro van stands parked next to the flooded West House, as photographed March 28, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu)



You had five snow days

In the wake of a historic ice storm that led to extended city-wide power outages, you got to skip class for an entire week, which accounted for five of the 13 snow days the university has ever experienced. Some of you were initially left without power, water and heat, but this didn’t stop you from supporting Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball.

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A lamppost knocked over by fallen tree limbs near Kirkland Hall, as photographed Jan. 25, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/George Albu)

The university initially announced that classes would resume after two days off, but this decision was eventually reversed. To make up for the class time missed, the university added two class days to the end of the semester.

Historically low acceptance rates

Vanderbilt accepted a record-low 2.8% of regular decision applicants to the Class of 2030. Additionally, 11.9% of early decision applicants were admitted. This application cycle also marked the addition of the university’s partnership with Verto Education as an option for some applicants who will spend a year abroad before transferring to Vanderbilt for their second year.

Music City lived up to its name

A benefit of living in a city like Nashville is the access to seemingly endless concerts and performances by artists from all genres, and you took advantage of the music scene this year. The Hustler covered 60 concerts this year at venues across Nashville, from Bridgestone Arena to The Basement East, from The Ryman to Exit/In.

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Sombr smiles and points at sign in the crowd, as photographed on Sept. 24, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Jo Anderson)

You saw performances by the likes of Benson Boone, Sombr and Conan Gray, and you leaned into Nashville’s country music scene at shows by Maren Morris and Ella Langley. You even witnessed the return of Rites of Spring to Vanderbilt’s campus with headliners Natasha Bedingfield and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. TWINSICK and XANDRA also performed on campus for the annual Lights on the Lawn event.

You explored your surroundings with 25 guides

Nashville has more to offer than music, and our staff compiled guides and recommendations to help you make the most of your time. Every season brings new opportunities, and Nashville is full of summer fun, a variety of fall flavors, lots of ways to stay warm in the winter and beautiful nature to explore in the spring. Nashville also has an excellent food scene that includes plenty of gluten-free options.

Even closer to home than the city itself, Vanderbilt’s campus has plenty of its own opportunities to explore. We tried a whole lot of things this year so you don’t have to. From showering in non-residential showers to participating in group workout classes at the Rec to trying out every residential college’s social gathering and their communal kitchens, we stayed busy getting you all the rankings and reviews you need.

You put on a show

Vanderbilt students are multi-talented, and you showed off your artistic skills in at least seven showcases and performances this year. Some of you danced in Cafe con Leche or the Dances of South Asia while others took the stage for a cappella concerts or the Lunar New Year Festival or an Original Cast show. Your peers who don’t typically dance also got the chance to learn how as part of Vida’s Dancing with the ’Dores showcase.

You heard from your community
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A graphic depicting the silhouette of a confused Chancellor Daniel Diermeier examining a letter, with the White House centered on the page. (Hustler Multimedia/Lexie Perez)

Ten Vanderbilt community members published guest editorials in The Hustler calling attention to issues they deemed important to the student body. These writers criticized the university’s response to the higher education compact and called the university to embrace diversity and student belonging. Others analyzed the rise of Adderall use among college students, pointed out the decline in Vanderbilt’s Black student enrollment, discussed being Southern at Vanderbilt, dived into the university’s Vietnam War legacy, addressed child support depending on where a child lives and called students to action over use of derogatory terms.

You hosted and attended countless events and speaker series

Of the numerous student organization events and invited speakers on campus, The Hustler covered 35 this past year. You engaged in meaningful conversations about the rise of AI, national security, political polarization, mental health and more. You filled auditoriums, classrooms and venues around campus and around the city to hear from actor Gavin Casalegno, local political candidate Aftyn Behn, Epstein survivor Jess Michaels, politicians Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, journalist Willie Geist and athletes Ilona Maher and Rob Gronkowski.

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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley speaks with Professor Ganesh Sitaraman during the Dialogue Vanderbilt event on Sept. 24, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Savannah Walske)

Your peers earned well-deserved recognition

Vanderbilt is known for having many scholars, and this year was no exception. Ten students were named in the new class of Ingram Scholars, and four were named Obama-Chesky Scholars. Two alumni were also selected as Schwarzman Scholars. Other students were chosen as Keegan Traveling Fellows, selected to attend National Environmental Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., named as the Class of 2026 Outstanding Seniors and recognized in the Student Voting Honor Roll.

Vanderbilt rose in the rankings

Vanderbilt moved up one spot to No. 17 in the U.S. News college rankings and rose to No. 7 from No. 140 in the FIRE College Free Speech Ranking. Additionally, the university ranked No. 10 among private institutions for research and development investments, and Vanderbilt Law School ranked No. 12 according to U.S. News.

Talking to the higher ups

The Hustler had the chance to sit down four times to interview Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and twice to interview athletic director Candice Storey Lee. Diermeier discussed expanding Vanderbilt around the country, the school’s historic athletic success, how Vanderbilt responded to winter storms, Vanderbilt’s growing campus and more. Lee talked about a range of topics, including NIL, the Anchored for Her and Vandy United campaigns, new athletic programs and this year’s unprecedented athletic prowess on West End.

The Hustler conducted two surveys
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A graphic with the words “2025 Brain Rot Wrapped” with a stylized border with the number 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Vincent Xu)

The Hustler’s annual first-year survey asked the newest students on campus about their high school experiences and expectations for college life. The first-of-its-kind brain rot survey was distributed to students across campus to see how brain-rotted Vanderbilts students were in 2025. The results showed a wide range of brain-rotted-ness with Blair students and the Class of 2029 taking the cake for most brain-rotted school and class, respectively.

College GameDay came to Wyatt Lawn

The Hustler’s busiest week of the year (and possibly ever) came when ESPN’s College GameDay filmed live on campus for the first time since 2008. The Hustler published 20 stories relating to GameDay itself and the football game that followed in addition to its usual slate of content production.

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The cast of College GameDay interview Clark Lea, as photographed on Oct. 25, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Alex Brodeur)

The excitement of the week started with the announcement that the program would be filmed live from Wyatt Lawn. Students began to prepare themselves for the possibility of camping overnight (which ended up not being allowed) and showering away from their dorms. Members of the football team hosted a kicking clinic on Alumni Lawn to get students ready to take their shot at winning big in Pat McAfee’s kicking challenge.

The show paid homage to its Nashville location with celebrity guest picker Nate Bargatze and performances by Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney. Students lined up Friday afternoon for a chance to be in the pit during the show. Sophomore Tyler Hwang was one of these students, and he won half a million dollars after successfully kicking a 33-yard field goal. The morning’s excitement came to a head with a victorious performance by the football team over Missouri, beating the Tigers 17-10.

One unforgettable fall
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Diego Pavia throws the ball, as photographed on Nov. 22, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Ophelia Lu)

  • Vanderbilt eclipsed 10 wins for the first time in program history, including six SEC wins over South Carolina, LSU, Missouri, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee
  • Diego Pavia cemented his place in Vanderbilt history by winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award while becoming the program’s first Heisman finalist, finishing as the award’s runner up.
  • Eli Stowers was drafted No. 54 by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Draft after winning the John Mackey Award for college football’s best tight end and the Walter V. Campbell Trophy — sometimes referred to as the “academic Heisman.”
  • College GameDay graced campus for the first time since 2008 in anticipation of Vanderbilt’s ranked matchup with Missouri. The weekend was hectic, and you all had mixed feelings.
  • Vanderbilt lost many of its star contributors to graduation and the transfer portal, but it landed some new faces in the portal and signed the top high-school quarterback in the nation, Jared Curtis.
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From left to right, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit during ESPN College GameDay, as photographed on Oct. 25, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Alex Brodeur)

10 rotten oranges

Vanderbilt dominated in-state rival Tennessee this year, downing the Volunteers in 10 head-to-head matchups. Relive The Hustler’s coverage from all 10 shining moments:

  • The soccer team triumphed 2-0 over the Volunteers in its season finale en route to a 12-3-1 regular season record.
  • Then-No. 14 Vanderbilt Football walked into Neyland Stadium Nov. 29 and routed the home team 45-24.
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    Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball in their first round March Madness win, as photographed on Mar. 21, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Savannah Walske)

  • Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan combined for 58 points as the Commodores cruised to an 87-77 victory over the Lady Volunteers.
  • The Men’s Basketball team downed their rivals twice, once in the regular season and again in the SEC Tournament.
  • The VandyBoys swept their orange adversaries in a three-game series at Hawkins Field.
  • Both tennis teams also took care of business against Tennessee. The men won 4-2 in a Feb. 24 home opener, and the women claimed a dramatic 4-3 victory on the road.
Four immaculate extensions

Vanderbilt Athletics secured long-term deals with four of its marquee head coaches, all of whom ended their respective seasons nationally ranked.

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Mark Byington walks out of the team hotel in advance of Vanderbilt’s first NCAA Tournament game against McNeese, as photographed on March 19, 2026. (Hustler Multimedia/Michael Tung)

Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee expressed her excitement over the extensions in a conversation with The Hustler.

“We have compiled a special group of people who represent Vanderbilt and college athletics in beautiful ways, and we should be so proud of all 14 of these head coaches,” Lee said.

Women dominated fields

This year was a historic one for women’s sports on West End.

Women’s Basketball reached the Sweet Sixteen in one of its most successful seasons to date. On top of Ralph’s achievements, Blakes was named an AP First Team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year while Galvan was named SEC Freshman of the Year. 6’4 sharpshooter Justine Pissott was drafted No. 25 to the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft to cap off an outstanding year for the program.

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Vanderbilt Volleyball huddles together, as photographed on Aug. 29, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Savannah Walske)

But the basketball team wasn’t the only women’s program at Vanderbilt that made history. Vanderbilt Volleyball made its return after a 45-year hiatus, transforming Wyatt Lawn into a makeshift stadium for its home opener against Belmont.

Vanderbilt Soccer had its most successful season ever. Standouts Sydney Watts and Sara Wojdelko won SEC Forward and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively, and Wojdelko signed a professional contract with the Washington Spirit. Bowling and Women’s Tennis both made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, with bowling winning its region to advance to the Final Four and Tennis making it to a Super Regional.

In the wake of Vanderbilt’s wild success, the Athletic Department announced Anchored for Her, a capital campaign directly aimed at investing in its women’s athletics.

Feature frenzy

The Hustler wrote 20 features on Vanderbilt’s student athletes, including an exclusive on graduating Mr. Commodores.

We dove deep with five VandyBoys: Cody Bowker and Jacob Humphrey, Braden Holcomb, Wyatt Nadeau and Ryker Waite.

We also spoke with some of the biggest names in college basketball this year: Tyler Tanner, Aubrey Galvan, Tyler Nickel.

The football team also received a lot of attention: Junior Sherrill, CJ Heard, Jordan White, Bryan Longwell, Sedrick Alexander and Martel Hight.

As always, The Hustler also highlighted some of Vanderbilt Athletics’ stars in non-revenue sports: Aubrey Hull, Jackie Moore, Sydney Watts, Hailee Mack, Ally Bollig and Wells Williams.